Updated 15 Dec 2008

WIRKSWORTH Parish Records 1600-1900

Photo 593

a. Start with 1 sheet of paper 15x9½ inches.
Place a red adhesive seal at the top.

b. Fold in half and write the letter.

c. Fold down the top and bottom.

d. Fold both sides inwards.

e. Fold ends into each other and seal.

f. Write the address and post.

How to Send a Letter in 1808

Written on a single sheet of paper 15in x 9½in, folded
5 times then finally into itself.
Probably written with a new steel nib (which was quickly overtaking the
quill made from a feather), and ink made
with soot, the letter is closed with a red adhesive seal,
it has a Wirksworth stamp, is dated 1808 and weighs 6 grams.
In those days the receiver payed the postage, which was charged
by the mile (perhaps 4 pence total written in pencil over the stamp).
The sender paid nothing, just handed it in at the Post Office in
Coldwell Street.
John Winson was postmaster 1795-1810, to be replaced by Miss Brace.
There was a daily horse from Wirksworth to Derby leaving about 7am.
The postman would gallop about 15 miles along very rough roads to Derby.
Pigot's Directory for 1828 shows "Letters to Derby by horse post
at 6.30am, arrive 1.30pm". Seven hours for 15 miles!

The sender (George Nuttall) was a Land Surveyer living in Matlock,
(see The Great Matlock Will Case,
and the letter is addressed to William J Lockett
in Derby. No further address is given, the postman was expected to be
psychic. The front of the letter is stamped with "Wirksworth" and its
mileage from London of 139, (which was used approx. 1802-1827)

Dear Sir,
From the best account I am able to make out upon
the cursory survey of the intended line of road as altered to the
east side of the river I conceive it will require about 7
acres of land from the Duke of Devonshire's estate in Shottle
and I am of opinion the land is worth from £40 to 45£
pr acre.
I am Dear Sir
Your most obedt Servant
Geo Nuttall
Matlock Sunday Feb 7th 1808

The letter appears to be about a survey, carried out by Nuttall for
Lockett, concerning a possible extension or modernisation of a road
between the River Ecclesbourne and Shottle Hall (possibly Jebbs Lane).
See more details of Lockett
from Stuart Flint.

1748 1748
Land agent, John Elizabeth
Comm.of Inclosures, NUTTALL====v====ROUSE
excellent penman 1780 | 1780
|
1773
Writer of this letter George 1801 Mary
NUTTALL====v====MELLAND
1820 |
|
1802
His Will was contested in George
The Great Matlock Will Case NUTTALL
in the House of Lords 1856

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Extracts from an email by Stuart Flint:
William Lockett was a Derby Solicitor who became Prosecution Counsel
to the Crown when the Pentrich Rioterss were on trial around 1817.
The Lockett family appear to have been Solicitors in Derby for some
100 years.
In time William J Lockett became a wealthy man having interests
in Lace Making factories at Loughborough and a confidant of His Grace The
Duke of Devonshire and, as His Grace owned most of Shottle,
it is possible that Lockett was arranging a land deal with Nuttal as
John Nuttal was a Commissioner and Land Surveyor and it may just be
possible that the land Nuttal was interested in driving
a road twixt the Ecclesboune and Shottle Hall was Jebbs Lane.
The Wirksworth - Duffield Railway line passes under a bridge on Jebbs Lane..
When Lockett tried the rioters which included Ludlam Brandreth the
Bacon brothers and Weightman the Jury was headed by all the local Gents
and Lords of the Manors including the Foreman Lord George Cavendish,
Phillip Gell, Hon George Vernon, John Radford, Hon Henry Cavendish,
Francis Mundy, Sir Robert Wilmot Bart ...John Jebb, Charles Hurt,
Richard Arkwright etc..so it is little wonder that the rioters were dealt
with severely.
I have found that Locketts full name was William Jeffrey Lockett
born 1768 son of William and Hannah Lockett nee Johnson of Prestbury
Cheshire William a Solicitor William Jeffrey Lockett married Anne Bilbie
of Derby 1794 He died April 15th 1839.. He became His Grace The Duke of
Devonshires Land Agent

Joseph Bilbie Grocer of Nottingham married Anne Holland of North Wingfield
dau of John Holland Gent

Son

William Bilbie of Berry Hill Mansfield Gent Justice of The Peace married
Anne Barber of Greasley Notts

Children

Joseph Bilbie
William Bilbie
Major Robert Bilbie Gent... Commander of the Derby Militia
Mary Bilbie who recieved a legacy of £10,000
Anne Bilbie married William Jeffrey Lockett Gent of Derby
Attorney and Counsel for the Prosecution to the Crown ..
Land Agent to His Grace The Duke of Devonshire